National

(AP) Retired Democratic Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank and the Maine Justice Foundation are holding an event in Portland to launch a new fund designed to help gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people access civil legal aid.

The new fund is called the LGBT Justice Fund. Frank will deliver the keynote address at Maine Justice Foundation's event, scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland.

Maine Justice Foundation says the purpose of the fund is to assist members of the LGBT community with the cost of legal services relating to issues such as finding housing, securing benefits and fighting discrimination.